Team of cancer specialists from Iran travel to Afghanistan to provide free services

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - Herat: Dr. Abdul Rahim Hazin, a hematologist and cancer specialist from Italy and an active doctor in Tehran province, stated in an exclusive interview with AVA reporter that they have come to Afghanistan with a team of Afghan cancer specialists who are working in Iranian hospitals to provide free consultations and visits to cancer patients.

 

He added that during this period, they have traveled to Kandahar, Kabul, Balkh and Herat provinces and examined cancer patients and provided free consultations and visits regarding their treatment process.

 

Referring to the existence of numerous facilities in the Afghan health sector, Dr. Hazin emphasized that the treatment system is fragmented and needs unity and integration of the health and medical system.

 

He explained that this fragmentation has caused patients to distrust the treatment process within the country and, after a period of wandering, makes them think of treatment abroad, which ultimately, when the patient returns from abroad, the treatment process remains incomplete and the efforts are fruitless. He emphasized the need for this process to be purposeful and for pathology to be performed in this regard.

 

The specialist doctor further noted that they intend to work in the field of cancer treatment in Afghanistan, like in Iran, Turkey, India and Pakistan, in a radical and infrastructure-based manner.

 

He also emphasized the long and costly nature of the cancer treatment process, which may take one to five years, and stated that it is difficult for patients to cover the costs of treatment. Therefore, the process of treating cancer patients by doctors who come to Afghanistan and in medical centers should be free of charge and in line with helping the patient.

 

Dr. Hazin added that cancer patients should be treated scientifically, legally and ethically, and this protocol is implemented worldwide. Their team is trying to set up a system and mechanism that is approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) so that the science of cancer treatment in Afghanistan can proceed properly.

 

This specialist in cancer diseases from Iran finally noted that this is the first trip of their team to Afghanistan and during this period they will provide free consultations and visits. In subsequent periods, they will also take action in the field of treating patients, and this program is planned for one to five years to cooperate with the Ministry of Public Health and cancer treatment centers in Afghanistan.

 

These efforts are taking place at a time when many cancer patients in Afghanistan are forced to travel to other countries, especially Pakistan, due to the lack of a proper mechanism and coordinated system for treating this disease.